Current eBook licensing practices are eradicating the central mission of
libraries, with grave repercussions for equity and access to the
world’s knowledge. The root of the issue is that while libraries buy
print books in order to lend them to patrons, they can’t actually buy
eBooks. Instead, they license the content from publishers. This means
that publishers can set whatever terms they want in eBook licenses to
libraries—or refuse to license them at all.
Library Futures
supports legislation that aims to equitize the eBook marketplace. To
that end, we have developed model legislative language that avoids the
problematic Maryland language and that we therefore believe will hold up
against legal challenges. In short, we propose model legislation
grounded in state consumer protection, state contract law, state
procurement law, and contract preemption.
This webinar will
bring together the two Library Futures fellows (Juliya Ziskina and Emily
Finch), in conversation with Kyle Courtney (Library Futures board
chair), and Dave Hansen (ED, Author's Alliance) to discuss this new
model bill and future legislative remedies for the eBook conundrum.
Links shared:
Blog post and white paper: https://www.libraryfutures.net/post/library-futures-releases-policy-statement-and-draft-ebook-legislative-language
Statements and Policies Page: https://www.libraryfutures.net/statements
Library Futures Annual Report 2021: https://www.libraryfutures.net/annual-report-2021
ALA Privacy State Laws: https://www.ala.org/advocacy/privacy/statelaws
Transcript can be downloaded in RTF in the files section.